◢ The big federal programs

Every program,
one source.

The 14 largest federal assistance programs in the United States, eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, written in plain English. Every claim sourced from the agency that runs it.

01 · Housing

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

Federal rental subsidy that pays your landlord directly, covers the gap between 30% of your household income and fair market rent.

Subsidy size

Varies

Section 8

02 · Food

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Monthly food benefits delivered on an EBT card, the largest US anti-hunger program, formerly known as food stamps.

Maximum monthly benefit

$298/mo

SNAP

03 · Education

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant for undergraduate college, up to $7,395 per year that you do not have to pay back.

Maximum award (2026-27 award year)

$7,395/yr

Pell Grant

04 · Utilities

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Federal help paying your home heating, cooling, and energy-crisis bills, apply through your state, tribe, or territory's LIHEAP office.

Benefit size

Varies

LIHEAP

05 · Family

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Free monthly food package, formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5.

Monthly food package + Cash Value Benefit

Varies

WIC

06 · Business

SBA 7(a) Loan Program

The Small Business Administration's flagship loan program, government-guaranteed financing up to $5 million for working capital, equipment, real estate, business acquisition, and debt refinancing.

Maximum amount

$5M

SBA 7(a)

07 · Healthcare

Medicaid

Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible low-income Americans, funded jointly by federal government and states.

Coverage type

Free or low-cost

Medicaid

08 · Healthcare

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Monthly federal cash payments for disabled, blind, or 65+ Americans with very limited income and resources, funded by general Treasury (not Social Security payroll taxes).

Max monthly payment (2026)

$994 individual / $1,491 couple

SSI

09 · Healthcare

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Monthly cash payments for workers who paid Social Security taxes and can no longer work due to a long-term medical disability, funded by FICA payroll taxes, not general revenue.

Average monthly payment (2026)

$1,635 average / $4,152 max

SSDI

10 · Healthcare

Medicare

Federal health insurance for people 65 and older, and for younger people with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease, split across four parts (A hospital, B medical, C Advantage, D drugs) with different premiums and cost-sharing rules.

Standard 2026 monthly premium

$0 Part A + $202.90 Part B

Medicare

11 · Family

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

A refundable federal tax credit for low and moderate income workers, worth up to $8,231 for tax year 2026 (the return you file in early 2027) if you have three or more qualifying children.

Maximum credit (tax year 2026)

Up to $8,231

EITC

12 · Healthcare

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Federal-state health coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance, covering doctor visits, hospital care, dental, vision, and prescriptions with low or zero copays.

Federal cost-sharing cap

5% of annual family income

CHIP

13 · Family

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

State-run monthly cash assistance for very low-income families with children, funded by a federal block grant with 60-month lifetime limit and work requirements.

Max monthly cash (family of 3, 2025-26)

$204 to $1,430

TANF

14 · Housing

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)

Housing Choice Voucher plus VA case management for homeless veterans. Combines rental subsidy with mental health, substance use, and clinical support.

Rental subsidy + VA case management

Varies

HUD-VASH

GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial blog. We are not a government agency and we do not administer any of these programs. Every program is run by a federal, state, or tribal agency, links to the official application portals are inside each profile.